HBA-NMO, KMH H.B. 926 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 926 By: Garcia Criminal Jurisprudence 7/28/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE As of early 1999, allegations of alteration of Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) answer sheets had arisen in more than 11 school districts statewide. False scores were created to increase accountability ratings for the school district. Prior to the 76th Legislature, tampering with such records was a misdemeanor. H.B. 926 increases the penalty for tampering with public school records, reports, or certain assessment instruments. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.10(d), Penal Code, to include public school records, reports, or certain assessment instruments among the list of instruments for which tampering with is a felony of the second or third degree, depending on the intention of the actor, rather than a misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.